What is Extreme Programming and how does it work?

For better software development, there should be a better understanding present between the software developer and the customer. Extreme programming can help a lot in this scenario. It includes a proper method by which a quality software can be developed, to solve the customer problem, and fulfill their requirements.

Many studies on Extreme programming explained the various stages by which source code is processed to get a final software which includes all the customer’s requirements.

How does it work?

Many times, it is seen that whenever new software is delivered to any customer, Either there is an error or some of the customer’s requirements are not fulfilled. These problems occur, due to a lack of communication, that a developer and the customer faces.

In this case, the extreme programming explains that the development of software should be done in various stages, and the coding should be done in small modules. After the development of each module, it should be verified by the customer, whether the module is according to their requirements or not. It is seen that it becomes difficult for the customer to enlist all the requirements at a single time during a meeting with the developer and many times the customer comes up with new requirements, so it becomes difficult for a developer to apply the changes during the development phase. However, with extreme programming, this problem can be overcome by practicing the development of software in modules, so that the developer can easily make changes according to new requirements.

Working of extreme programming

To develop quality software, there are various stages present, which are practiced by the developer.

Requirement analysis

This is the main step of extreme programming. In this step, the software developer will communicate with the customer and indulge in some interaction. The customers can discuss all the requirements that they want in software. The developer can note down all the requirements, and start working according to them.

Designing

It is the next step that is done after the requirement analysis. The software developer needs to design an overview of the software. The designing will take place with the help of flow charts, and diagrams.

The design is made in such a way, that it represents only the modules, without describing the backhand programming of that module. It is then elaborated to the customer by highlighting all the requirements and points that the customer needs to know. If the customer accepts all the requirements, then the software is further developed; otherwise, the developer has to redesign it.

Coding

The next phase is coding in which the actual code behind the modules is written. The developer has to choose the appropriate language of coding, which is suitable to develop the software. The code should be compact, precise, and fulfill all the requirements of the software.

Testing

It is an essential part of software development. This stage verifies the correct working of the software. The developer or the team of the developers test the working of the different modules.

After giving an input to the module, it is checked, whether the module is providing the correct output or not. After the development department tests the working of software, then it is sent for another testing, where a group from the customer side will test whether the software is working accordingly or not. There are various types of testing present like unit testing, alpha testing, beta testing, etc.

Maintenance and Feedback

This is the last stage of software development. In this stage, the team of the software developers will take the feedback on the working of the software after an interval of time. If the customer finds any loopholes in the software, then it is informed to the developer, and the developer will solve this issue.

Another important part of software development is the maintenance part as it doesn’t matter how well the code is written, there will always be an error present in the software. It is the role of the developer to ensure the correct working of the software. If there is an update of the system configuration, then the developer should ensure that the software is compatible with the new changes or not.